What will lifting sanctions do to Iran's rial? The removal of sanctions will likely substantially strengthen the rial and could lead to a wave of cheap and wasteful imports into Iran, economists have warned. Iran
Netanyahu snatches defeat from jaws of victory Instead of composing a large and stable coalition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself with only 61 coalition members and must try to persuade the Zionist Camp to join his government. Israel
Haifa's Arab theater shocked by uproar over play “A Parallel Time,” at Al-Midan Theater in Haifa, has sparked an outcry amid allegations that the play glorifies an alleged terrorist. Palestine
Egypt's independent media outlets face closures A dip in profits is pushing Egyptian media institutions to become government mouthpieces, negatively impacting their content. Egypt
Gaza's honey production slows to a drizzle Beekeepers in Gaza are currently experiencing a low in honey production due to the latest Israeli war on Gaza, during which the Israeli army destroyed vast agricultural lands. Palestine
Babylon awaits tourists' return Cultural authorities are trying to revive tourism to Iraq's Babil, historic Babylon, after years of neglect and destruction in the area. Iraq
Islamic loans give Gaza's women chance to survive poverty Poverty and unemployment have pushed many women to become the source of income to their families, thus seeking to open their own enterprises through Islamic loans. Palestine
Morocco battles Islamic State cells After attacks in neighboring Tunisia, Morocco is doing all it can to crack down on Islamic State sympathizers. United Arab Emirates
Khamenei: We will not negotiate under 'specter of threats' Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's harsh words were likely a response to comments by US Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, who have suggested that the military option is still on the table. Iran
Will Erdogan's backtracking torpedo PKK disarmament? The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has dropped plans to convene a congress to renounce its armed struggle after hostile outbursts by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and government officials. Turkey
Turkey avoids economic pain with EU trade agreement Turkey would have suffered heavy economic consequences if it was left out of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the world’s largest free trade zone. Turkey
Ultra-Orthodox start to join 'startup nation' Six high-tech startups by ultra-Orthodox Israelis, some of them women, were selected by the Kamatech accelerator project for mentorship and funding assistance. Israel
Yachimovich offensive a bid for Labor leadership Preparing for a term in the opposition and for next year's party primaries, former Labor head Shelly Yachimovich has come out against the Zionist Camp's dual leadership, taking aim in particular at Tzipi Livni. Israel
Restrictions on Iraq's displaced people worsen Shiite-Sunni divide Discrimination against Sunnis by Shiites is rampant in Iraq, raising distrust between Sunni and Shiite communities and aggravating the situation of internally displaced people. Iraq
Gaza movie theaters remain shuttered Movie experts and officials are calling on the Gaza Ministry of Culture to reopen the movie theaters that were closed down during the first intifada. Palestine
New Knesset supports two-state solution With Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman joining the opposition, the balance of power in the Knesset is clearly in favor of those supporting a two-state solution. Palestine
